Last season Chad Sayers, writer Dan K. and I took a trip up to Smithers and Terrace, BC. I really enjoyed getting on the ground, seeking out the interesting characters, getting their stories while collecting images of what it is like to ski in the North. The story just hit the shelves in the November issue of Powder, so check it out!
Shames Mountain is a small operation just outside of Terrace, BC. There is only one chairlift, and one t-bar, but the snowpack and easy access to amazing backcountry are qualities they can boast about. I have twice visited and skied at Shames, the most recent on assignment with Powder Magazine. Financially, it has been very difficult to keep a resort going in the small town, especially in the North where economic hard times have been going on a lot longer than the current recession. However, it was clear to see that the town truly benefited from having the small operation there – and can be seen as a public good, similar to a publicly funded rec-centre. Of course, there is no current public funding for Shames (or any other operation that I know of).
Check out this article about one proposal from an international group trying to turn it into a co-operative, it certainly is an interesting idea for a ski area model.